Charlevoix grad' turns emissions to fuel

Now finishing his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at University of Nevada, Reno, Charlevoix graduate York Smith is on the cutting edge of green technology.

Smith’s project was so impressive that he won second place in the coveted Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Award for best collegiate business plan in the undergraduate division.

“I was very shocked,” Smith said. “I knew we would do well, but I didn’t really think we could make it this far.”

Smith and his team member Palkin Zed, won second place for their Carbon Gold business wherein CO2 emissions are reduced by collecting exhaust gases from energy plants and altering it to make it a viable fuel like propane.

Advertisement

“The idea of actually converting the CO2 emissions rather than putting them into the ground has been pretty well worked on … for the last 15 years,” he said. “However, developing a full process that uses a couple steps to convert it from the (smoke) stack to the tank of your vehicle has never been fully developed before.”

Smith added, “We’re not saying this is the Holy Grail, the solution to all our problems. It’s just a different approach that nobody has taken.”

According to Smith, what makes a good fuel is how much carbon is possesses.

“If you have CO2, you really can’t burn it because it only has one carbon, as opposed to octane which is gasoline which has eight ore more sometimes,” he said. “So, you have to take carbon dioxide and strip off oxygen and add hydrogen to it and then you can really start to make some good fuels.”

Smith added, “And this is all done through catalysts using sunlight.”

In addition to returning to the University of Nevada, Reno to work on his master’s degree in chemical engineering, Smith has also earned the opportunity to study in India for six months.

“I’ll be working in a research exchange with UNR (University of Nevada, Reno) and the India Institute of Technology,” he said. “That’s a pretty good university over there.”

Smith said he will likely enter the field of green technology as it is wide open to chemical engineers.

“There is big demand for developing these technologies people can use to improve their lives,” he said. “And, it’s better for the environment.”

Smith will now go on to compete in the Tri-State Reynolds Cup where he will face competition from three states.

Smith’s mother Mary Lou Smith said she is very proud of her son’s accomplishments.